1 – “Concentrated feed is the basis of equine nutrition, hay is secondary.”
Forage (pasture, hay) should make up 60 to 100 % of the horse's diet. Concentrate feed should only be fed to horses in work and/or competition, to mares in the last third of pregnancy and lactation and to other horses whose energy and protein needs are increased. In cases where the available hay alone is not sufficient in terms of energy and nutrients, a feed supplement should be provided.
In short, for the diet to be correct and balanced, it is estimated that the horse should ingest around 2 % of its body weight in dry matter daily, which in a 500 kg horse represents 10 kg of dry matter; these 10 kg should be distributed, ideally, considering a minimum of 6 to 7 kg of forage feed.
WAFERS
ALFALFA
ALFABEET
2 – “Concentrated feed high in protein causes excitability in my horse.”
Feeding a horse a diet with excess protein causes its body to produce more heat and ammonia, not necessarily excitable behavior.
However, there are studies that show that a diet rich in non-structural carbohydrates (starch and simple sugars) is related to a horse's potential excitability. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the provision of concentrated feeds of this type. Horses with an excitable temperament benefit from feeds low in starch and sugars.
GASTRO PRO
NATURE MASH
3 – “Feeding cereal grain-based food causes colic in horses.”
The term “colic” refers to a syndrome of abdominal pain, which can be caused by a number of factors. The horse’s gastrointestinal tract is long and complex, and is highly susceptible to inflammation, distension, displacement, etc. Poor feeding management can cause colic, so it is important to evaluate specific aspects of the diet, such as the characteristics of the food, feeding management, among other factors.
The risk of colic increases with: high consumption of concentrated feed (above 4 to 5 kg/day for a horse weighing 500 kg live weight); restricted or no access to pasture; low consumption of forage feed (below 5 to 6 kg/day for a horse weighing 500 kg live weight); ingestion of poor quality forage; decreased water consumption; among other factors.
4 – “Alfalfa is too rich a food to be entirely safe to give to horses.”
Alfalfa contains more protein, digestible energy and calcium than grass hays, but is generally lower in soluble sugars. Alfalfa’s reputation for being “rich” may come from the fact that it is made up of highly nutritious leaves, which are more digestible than most hays; this can contribute to gastrointestinal problems, and even colic, if introduced into the horse’s diet too quickly. It is therefore advisable to introduce alfalfa hay gradually into the horse’s diet so that it can acclimatize.
The use of alfalfa as a single forage feed is not recommended, and it is preferable to provide limited quantities of it simultaneously with grass hay, avoiding excess energy/protein or excess calcium.
Alfalfa provides protection against the development of ulcers (thanks to its buffering effect arising from high levels of protein and calcium) and is considered beneficial in preventing developmental orthopedic diseases (DODs) in foals.
WAFERS
ALFALFA
5 – “High protein diets cause DODs (developmental orthopedic diseases) in growing horses.”
Nutrition, physical exercise and genetics are the main factors that determine correct and healthy bone development, although they can also be the cause of DODs.
Mineral imbalances and protein imbalances are both thought to cause DODs. Feeding a growing foal a diet with excess protein (above protein requirements) will not increase the rate of growth, nor will protein restriction result in improved bone growth. However, restricting protein availability by reducing feed intake will affect growth rate and bone development. A specifically formulated foal feed is essential.
YOUNG
6 – “Providing water to a horse that has just worked and is still “hot” and tired will cause colic.”
Several studies have shown that a “hot” and sweaty horse that drinks water immediately after work is no more likely to develop colic or laminitis than one that only drinks after recovery. Therefore, it is advisable to allow the horse to drink water when it is most thirsty, which will most likely be immediately after training, and not after it has “cooled down”. Providing water only after recovery may result in lower water intake even if the horse is dehydrated, which is undesirable.
7 – “Questions related to the horse’s weight are only related to the way it is fed.”
Not necessarily. Issues related to the horse's weight (above or below the ideal weight) can result from numerous situations such as: dental problems, parasitism, systemic diseases, metabolic problems, laminitis, among others. In cases where a horse increases/decreases its body weight significantly, a veterinarian and/or nutritionist should be consulted.